South Africa

The Kruger National Park is the obvious big hitter, but it isn't your only option. South Africa has a whole range of national parks and private reserves where you can spot the Big Five and other wildlife. If you're planning to visit Kruger, remember that malaria precautions may be relevant for the region.

A braai is essentially South Africa's answer to a barbecue, but it's much more than just chucking some meat on a grill. It's a social occasion, usually involving friends, family, plenty of food and a fair bit of hanging around the fire. If you get invited to one, say yes.

South Africa has 11 official languages, including Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English. English is widely spoken and is generally the easiest language for travellers to use, particularly in tourist areas, hotels and cities. You'll hear different languages depending on where you travel, which is part of what makes South Africa so culturally diverse.

South Africa has three capitals, each with a different role. Pretoria is the administrative capital, where the executive branch of government is based. Cape Town is the legislative capital, home to Parliament, while Bloemfontein is the judicial capital, where the Supreme Court of Appeal is based. So, technically, there isn't one single capital city!